David Chatterson, Canadian Ambassador to the Kingdom, said Saudi Arabia is losing many opportunities his country can offer because it has been focusing its interest mostly on the United States and the United Kingdom. And recently, he added, the Kingdom has been turning its attention toward India and China. “My country has a lot to offer to Saudi Arabia in the fields of economic cooperation, cultural exchange, education and training, and many more,” Chatterson said in his keynote speech that opened the forum “Connecting with Canada: A Partner in Opportunities” held here Tuesday at the Asharqia Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The forum was convened in connection with the launching of the partnership between the law office of Dr. Saud Al-Ammari and the Canadian law firm Blakes. “Our country, like Saudi Arabia, is endowed with oil; Canada is an exporter of agricultural products; we have technology – particularly telecommunications – that Saudi Arabia can make use of; we can broaden our energy cooperation; we can supply security and defense equipment. All of these can be achieved through the partnership of the private sector of both countries,” Chatterson said. He said there should now be an initiative by the private sector in the Kingdom, with the support of local chambers of commerce, like Asharqia Chamber, to seize the opportunities that Canada offers. Chatterson said cooperation in the field of education is one area that has been encouraging for both countries. “For the past 30 years, Canada has been the destination of Saudi medical doctors for specialization. We now have around 400 Saudis studying medicine in Canada, and the number of Saudi students enrolled at various Canadian colleges and universities is expected to increase to over 10,000 in 2010 from 8,000 in 2009,” he said. “Canada has now become a favorite destination of Saudi students for higher learning,” the ambassador added. Chatterson said Canada has vast natural resources, including uranium and coal, which contribute 12 percent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), and is the largest country in the Americas with 9,984,670 sq. km. “With our small population of 34 million, Canada has now become a country of immigrants, the latest wave of them coming from the Arab countries,” Chatterson said. He said every year, 250,000 new immigrants arrive, making Canada a country of racial diversity. “With these vast opportunities in business, natural resources, and learning prospects, and many more, it is time for the Kingdom to look toward Canada for a brighter future,” Chatterson said.
